Santa Cruz County
Live Oak
The sweet spot between Santa Cruz and Capitola. Good schools, reasonable prices, and easy access to everything. Where many young families put down roots.
Living in Live Oak
Live Oak is a diverse community between Santa Cruz and Capitola, stretching from inland family neighborhoods all the way out to Pleasure Point along the coast. The area covers an unusually wide range of prices, from entry-level homes around $650K to multi-million-dollar oceanfront properties. It draws anyone who wants Santa Cruz's full mix of beach and neighborhood life in one zip code, from first-time buyers and young families to surfers and second-home owners.
What We Love
- 01 Wide range of prices
- 02 Family-friendly neighborhoods
- 03 Close to beaches and shopping
- 04 Mix of housing styles
- 05 Central location
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At a Glance
- Bay Area Commute Time
- 45-60 min
- Median Home Price
- $1.05M
- Days on Market
- 28
- Population
- 17,500
Education
Schools in Live Oak
Live Oak has schools across a wide range of ratings. Many families also consider private schools or schools in neighboring districts. Happy to walk through the trade-offs.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Harbor High High | |
| Shoreline Middle Middle | |
| Green Acres Elementary Elementary | |
| Del Mar Elementary Elementary | |
| Live Oak Elementary Elementary | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Kirby School Private · 6-12 | |
| Twin Lakes Christian School Private · K-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Live Oak to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Zoom, Adobe +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 40-60 min |
   Apple, Amazon, LinkedIn +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 50-65 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 45m |
24 notable spots
Around Live Oak
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Twin Lakes State Beach.
Beaches
Capitola Beach
2.6 mi, 13-min bike ride
- Seabright Beach 0.5 mi
- Cowell Beach 1.4 mi
- New Brighton State Beach 3.5 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
1.2 mi, 6-min bike ride
- Anna Jean Cummings Park 3.1 mi
- Arana Gulch 0.3 mi
- Pogonip Open Space 3.5 mi
Recreation
East Cliff Drive
1 mi, 5-min bike ride
- Brommer Street Park 1 mi
- Jade Street Park & Community Center 2.2 mi
- Santa Cruz Yacht Club 0.5 mi
Grocery & Markets
2.3 mi, 12-min bike ride
- Whole Foods 1.5 mi
- Trader Joe's 1.8 mi
- Shopper's Corner 1.4 mi
Shopping & Dining
2.5 mi, 13-min bike ride
- Cat & Cloud Coffee 1.6 mi
- Gayle's Bakery 2.7 mi
- Verve Coffee Roasters 1.8 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Live Oak
- Is Live Oak good for first-time homebuyers?
- It can be. Live Oak's price range is wide. Inland blocks have some of the more accessible entry points in Santa Cruz, while coastal Pleasure Point sits at the high end. First-time buyers tend to find more options in the inland and central pockets, and the area still offers beach access and a central location.
- What amenities are near Live Oak?
- Live Oak is minutes from Capitola Mall, numerous restaurants, Twin Lakes Beach, and both downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola Village.
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Everything we know about Live Oak, organized by what matters to you.
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